Greg . 2 days ago

EXCLUSIVE: Former Gor Mahia coach Bob Oyugi warns Kenya on facing Angola

After winning their TotalEnergies African Nations Championship (CHAN) opener against Burkina Faso, Kenya national team Harambee Stars will return to action with a tricky assignment against Angola at Kasarani Stadium on Wednesday, August 7th.

Harambee Stars under South African legend Benni McCarthy obtained off to a flying start after defeating two-time CHAN champions DR Congo 1-0 in the Group A opener.

Gor Mahia midfielder Austin Odhiambo scored what turned out to be the winner on the stroke of half-time.

While Kenya will seek to construct on their historic debut win, Angola will look to recover from an opening 2-0 beat against Morocco.

Both teams will meet for the first time in CHAN, with Angola’s only previous game against a CHAN host ending in a 1-1 sketch against Sudan in the 2011 semi-finals, which they won 4-2 on penalties.

A win against Angola will expand Kenya’s chances of making it out of the group, which also includes Morocco, Zambia, and DR Congo.

While Kenya will battle Angola, DR Congo will come up against Zambia at Nyayo Stadium.

Angola a physical side with quick wingersFormer Gor Mahia coach Bob Oyugi has cautioned Kenya to tread carefully against Angola, who will be seeking to rebound support after losing to Morocco.

According to Oyugi, who won the Kenyan Premier League title with Gor Mahia in 1998, coach McCarthy should be wary of Angola’s towering strikers and their speedy wingers.

“Kenya only needs to win the second game and cross the first bridge.

However, both full-backs must be on high alert, especially our right full-support, and a solid central defence, consistent midfield, dynamic central attacks, and swift wingers,” Oyugi told Betopick.

“Generally, we use our defenders as a springboard to attack, but we must be very careful because Angola is a very physical side, with amazing speedy wingers, and we need to make sure that we stop them from delivering those crosses from the wings because that is where they are very dangerous.

”Oyugi added: “I watched their game against Morocco, though they lost 2-0, they created better chances using their wingers, the Angolans are dangerous in crosses, they usually take advantage of their tall heights to score.

“I am hoping that McCarthy and his team will be prepared to stop them, they almost scored twice against Morocco, when I looked at their game, they want to construct it through the wingers, who are very dangerous, and I only trust that the coach knows over this (their style of play).

”For Angola, they will be taking on a tournament debutant for the sixth time, with their record in those previous five matches standing at one win, three draws (two of which led to penalty shootout victories), and one beat.

The only win in regular time came against Rwanda in 2011, while the sole beat was in the final of that edition against Tunisia.

“It will be important for Kenya to win this game, just like the first game, because a win will definitely put them in a good position in the group, but remember Angola also want to qualify and they want a win to revive their hopes, so I sense if Kenya sticks with their game plan, they will obtain a positive result,” offered Oyugi.

Kenya will be aiming to become the first debutant since Madagascar (2022) to win their first two CHAN matches.

Madagascar beat Ghana (2-1) and Sudan (3–0), and were granted a forfeit win over Morocco.

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